Sultan Muhammad (Urdu:سلطان محمد) (popularly known as Sultan Rahi) (1938 - January 9, 1996) was a Pakistani film actor who firmly established himself as the biggest film personality from Pakistan in Punjabi and Urdu films during the 1970s and 1980s. Some of his major films include Maula Jatt, Sher Khan, Chan Veryam, Kaley Chore, and The Godfather. His extremely successful film career came to a tragic end on January 9, 1996, when he was shot and killed by unidentified persons in a highway robbery on G.T. road near Gujranwala. He was on his way back to Lahore from Islamabad at the time of his death. At the time of death, he was 58 years old. To this day, the case of his murder is unresolved. He is said to have appeared in more than 700 movies, and has accordingly been named in the Guinness Book of Records for the most prolific actor. He has also been featured in profiles of University of California, Irvine, college students. Sultan Rahi was a legendary action film hero and "the Sultan", who ruled Pakistani films for two decades from 1975-1995. He was the most successful film hero on box office ever.
Professional Career
He began as an extra actor in 1956 from the film Baghi but struggled for many years. In the late 60's, he got some significant roles as supporting and character actor, and as a villain. 1972 was the turning point in his film career, when three of his main films celebrated diamond jubilees. In 1975 he appeared in a very violent but super hit film and became an icon of action hero. In 1979, film Maula Jatt set all time business record with Sultan Rahi as the lead role. He dominated film industry until his tragic murder on January 9, 1996.
Sultan Rahi's Film Records
Sultan Rahi is the only actor in Pakistani film history, who appeared in diamond jubilee films as hero and villain. Sultan Rahi is the only film hero, who's two films Moula Jatt and Sher Khan celebrated diamond jubilees in Karachi in their second runs. Following is the breakdown of his films:
- Total Films 800+
- Punjabi Films 700+
- Urdu Films 103+
- Lead Role 500+
- Combined Title Role 430+
- Solo Title Roles 350+
- Films Awards 160+
- Indian BumBatty Roles 50+
Big Jubilee Films
400 weeks
- Sher Khan (444 Weeks)
300 weeks
- Sala Sahib (318 weeks)
- Moula Jatt (310 weeks)
200 weeks
- Chan Veryam (220 weeks)
150 weeks
- Basheera
- Wehshi Jatt
- Moula Jatt (Second Run)
- Akhri Jang
- Sholay
Diamond Jubilee Films
- Sakhi Badsha (103 weeks) (after death)
Solo Diamond Jubilee in Major Theaters
- Sher Khan
172 weeks at Naghma Cinema (and 35 weeks at Mehfil Cinema)
- Moula Jatt
130 weeks at Shabistan Cinema (and 26 weeks at Odeon Cinema)
- Sala Sahib
130 weeks at Metropole Cinema
Solo Golden Jubilee in Major Theaters
- Khan Chacha
66 weeks at Capital Cinema
- Wehshi Jatt
53 weeks at Naghma Cinema
- Chan Veryam
53 weeks at Gulistan Cinema
Solo Platinum Jubilee in Major Theaters
- Wehshi Jatt
80 weeks = (53 weeks at Shabistan Cinema and 27 weeks at Odean Cinema)
- Chan Veryam
82 weeks = (53 weeks at Gulistan Cinema and 29 weeks at Naz Cinema)
Solo Golden Jubilee in Major Theaters
- Basheera
63 weeks = (36 weeks at Naz Cinema and 27 weeks at Odean Cinema)
- Raka
66 weeks = (40 weeks at Sanober Cinema and 26 weeks at Mubarik Cinema)
- Kaley Chor
51 weeks = (26 weeks at Shabistan Cinema, 14 weeks at Mehfil Cinema and 11 weeks at Odean Cinema)
- Shakhi Badsha
(39 weeks at Shabistan Cinema and 12 weeks at Nigar Cinema)
Golden Jubilee's in Major Theaters in other cities
Moula Jatt in Faislabad, Multan and Rawalpindi Sher Khan in Rawalpindi Chan Veryam in Guranwala Silver Jubilee's on Main Theatre's in other cities: Moula Jatt in Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sargodha and Gujrat Sher Khan in Faislabad, Multan, Gujranwala and Sialkot Sala Sahib in Faislabad, Multan, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala
Blockbuster Films
Moula Jatt was released on February 11, 1979. This mega hit film completed 130 weeks at Shabistan Cinema and 26 weeks at Odeon Cinema Lahore and combined 310 weeks in its first run. This film also completed Solo Golden Jubilees in Faislabad, Rawalpindi and Multan and solo silver jubilees in Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sargodha and Gujrat. During its second run Moula Jatt completed combined Diamond Jubilee at Metropole cinema (30 weeks) and Capital cinema (34 weeks) Lahore. At second run it was released at 27 cinemas and completed Silver Jubilee in first week and Golden Jubilee in Second week at Lahore - a unique record! It was the first ever Diamond Jubilee at Qaiser and Godian Cinema Karachi in second run. This film was prepared in just Rs. 600.000 and gained a profit of more than Rs. 60.000.000. Still average business of Moula Jatt is all time record in Pakistan. Sher Khan was released on Eid-ul-Fittar, August 2, 1981. This film completed 172 weeks at Naghma Cinema (another weeks record on a single cinema!) and 35 weeks at Mehfil cinema Lahore and combined 444 weeks in its first run, which is an all time record for any Pakistani film for the highest number of weeks. Sher Khan also completed Solo Golden Jubilee in Rawalpindi and solo silver jubilees in Gujranwala, Multan, Sialkot, and Faislabad. During the second run Sher Khan completed Diamond Jubilee in Karachi and Golden Jubilee in Lahore. This is also a single film that completed Silver Jubilees in Lahore and Hydrabad at its third run. Sala Sahib was also released on August 2, 1981 and completed 130 weeks at Metropole cinema Lahore and combined 318 weeks in Lahore. This film had also celebrated solo Silver jubilee at Gujranwala, Faislabad, Multan and Rawalpindi. That was a golden jubilee film in Karachi as well and had great golden jubilee in second run in Lahore and silver jubilee in its 3rd run in Sialkot. Chan Veryam was third big film released on the Eid-day, August 2, 1981 - what a day for Pakistani films!! This film completed continuously more than 53 weeks at Gulistan Cinema and 27 weeks at Naz cinema Lahore and combined 205 weeks. This film had also celebrated solo golden jubilee (50 Weeks) at Gujranwala and solo silver jubilee in Multan and Rawalpindi. Sultan Rahi's Diamond Jubilee films (28) As villain (1 film):1972 (1): Khan Chacha As hero (27 films): 1972 (2): Sultan, Bashira
1974 (1): Sidha Rasta
1975 (2): Wehshi Jatt, Shareef Badmash
1976 (1): Toofan
1977 (1): Jeera sain
1979 (3): Goga Sher, Wehshi Gujjar, Moula Jatt
1981 (4): Athra Puttar, Sher Khan, Sala Sahib, Chan Veryam
1983 (4): Raka, Lawaris, Dara Baloch, Rustam Khan
1984 (2): Kalia, Sholay 1986 (2): Akhri Jang, Malanga
1988 (1): Mola Bakhsh
1991 (1): Kaley Chore
1992 (1): Majhoo
1994 (1): Bala Pere Da
1996 (1): Sakhi badsha
Sultan Rahi's Platinum Jubilee Films: (54) As hero (49 films):1975 (1): Dada
1976 (1): Jagga Gujjar
1977 (2): Lahori Badsha, and Qanoon
1978 (1): Ranga Daku
1979 (1): Jatt Soorma
1980 (2): Behram Daku and Boycot
1981 (6): Anokha Daaj, Sher Maidan Da, Miley Ga Zulm Da Badla, Jeedar, Jatt in London and Veryaam
1982 (3): Do Bigha Zameen, Muftber, Rustam
1983 (3): Murad Khan, Shan, Baghi Sher
1984 (2): Qatil Hasina and Jabar Khan
1985 (3): Qismat, Ajab Khan and Jagga
1986 (2): Qaidi and Qeemat
1987 (5): Sangal, Allah Rakha, Dulari, Badal and Nache Nagan
1988 (3): Mafroor, Hasina 420 and Roti
1989 (9): Hakumat, Super Girl, Kalka, Balawal, Sultana, Dakait, Rangiley Jasoos, Mujram, and Khuda Bux
1990 (2): Siren and Sher Dil
1991 (3): Chiraghbali, Badmash Thug and Qatil Qaidi
As Supporting actor (5 films): 1970 (2): Anwara and Dunia Matlab di
1971 (1): Dil aur Dunia
1973 (1): Banarsi Thag
1974 (1): Dillagi
Sultan Rahi's Golden and Superhit Silver Jubilee Films (156) As hero and title roles (128 films): 1973 (2): Zarq Khan and Bala Gujjar 1974 (2): Ultimaitum and Rastey ka Pather
1976 (3): License, Andata and Reshma te Shera 1977 (2): Tin Badshah and Kaun Sharif kaun Badmash 1978 (3): Heera te Bashira, Curfew Order, Sharif Ziddi 1979 (9): Hathiar, Jatt da khrak, Ghunda Act, Aurat Raaj, Butt Bahadar, Dada Pota, Mizam Daku, Gulu Badshah, Aag 1981 (3) Khan-e-Azam, Mr.Aflatoon, Akhri Qurbani 1982 (2): Maidan, Charhada Suraj 1983 (4): Jat te Dogar, Des Perdas, Qudrat, Moti Dogger, Toofan te Toofan, Choron Qutab 1984 (7): Dada Ustad, Haibat Khan, Lal Toofan, Ucha Shamla Jatt da, Barood, Tawan, Lagan 1985 (4): Khuddar, Ghulami, Shah Behram, Direct Hawaldar 1986 (10): Zulam da Toofan, Chan Soorma, Yeh Adam,Insaaf, Akber khan, Qarz, Sanjhi Hathkari, Dara Gujjar, Haq Such, Sher Bahadur 1987 (7): Jugnu, Doli te Hathkari, Jurnail Singh, Silsila, Faqiria, Janbaz, Tiger 1988 (4): Allah Ditta, Tohfa, Noori, Hunterwali 1989 (8): Sikandra, Moula Sain, Zabardast, Madam Bawri, Amir Khan, Zakhmi Aurat, Akhri Qatl 1990 (14): Kali Charan, Hoshiyar, Shera Baloch, Allah waris, Insaniyat ke Dushman, Paley Khan, Governor, Lutera, Putar Jagey da, Waqt, Loha, Manga, Sarmaya, Makhan Gujjar 1991 (4): Gundasa, Lakhan, Lahori Badmash, Riaz Gujjar 1992 (11): Dillagi, Zindagi, Abdulla The Great, Hasinon ki Barat, Sher Ali, Kake Da Kharak, Muhammad Khan, Daku Raaj, Kharak, Godfather, Babra 1993 (7): Paidagir, Khuda gawah, Sodagar, Faqira, Daku Chor Sipahi, Ghunda, Dandey da dor 1994 (10): Gujar da vair, Gujjar Badshah, Khandan, Rani Beti raj karegi, Muchh Jail, Zameen Asman, Pajero group, International lutery, Ghunda Raaj, Ziddi Gujjar 1995 (6): Wehshi Aurat, Gaber Singh, Madam Rani, Chohdri Badsha, Sarak, Jungle ka Qanoon 1996 (4): Akku 10 numbry, Do Jeedar, Foja, Rani Khan 1997 (1): Kala Raaj As villain (12 films): 1969 (1): Dhee Rani 1970 (5): Akhri Chattan, Chan Sajna, Taxi Driver, Rangeela and Att Khuda da vair 1971 (2): Babul and Aasoo Bila 1972 (3): Nizam, Insaan ik tamasha and Thah 1973 (1): Insaan aur Gadha
As supporting actor (15 films): 1956 (1): Baghi 1957 (2): Hatim, Yakewali 1959 (1): Nagin 1960 (1): Saheli 1961 (1): Gulfam 1962 (2): Qaidi and Aulad 1963 (1): Ishaq per zor nahin 1964 (1): Khandan 1966 (2): Aag ka Darya and Aina 1967 (2): Insaniyat and Chacha jee 1969 (1): Diya aur Toofan
Average and Flop Silver Jubilee Films: 150 Plus A Diamond jubilee film is always a mega hit film, which shows 100 weeks continuously on cinemas in a single city. "Solo" means all weeks on a single cinema and "combined" is total weeks on all cinemas. Four Pakistani films were "Solo Diamond Jubilees" Aaina, Moula Jatt, Sher Khan and Sala Sahib. A Platinum Jubilee film is a super hit film, which shows 75 weeks continuously on cinemas in a single city. The success measure for a super hit film is minimum six months release on its main cinema. A Golden Jubilee film is a hit film, which shows 50 weeks continuously on cinemas in a single city. The success measure for a hit Golden Jubilee film is minimum four months on its main cinema. A Solo Golden Jubilee is always a megahit film as film Sassi was in 1954. A Silver Jubilee film is an average film, which shows 25 weeks continuously on cinemas in a single city. The success measure for a Silver Jubilee film is minimum 10 weeks on its main cinema. A Solo Silver Jubilee is always a super hit film as film Pheray was in 1949.
Sultan Rahi's some other record's During the year 1989, Sultan Rahis 35 films were released with 26 titles. Sultan Rahis super hit films Majhoo and Zindagi were completed in just 16 days and Sher Khan was completed within 21 days. Sultan Rahis 90 films with 55 title rolls were released on Eid-ul-Fittar occasions and 66 films with 39 title rolls were released on Eid-ul-Azha occasions. According to flm director of film Basheera Mr. Aslam Dar: "I wanted to cast SAWAN as title role but he had demanded 70 thousands rupees. But after his refusal and demand for a lot of money I had cast to Sultan Rahi as Basheera just for rupees 7 thousands..." After the success of Basheera, Sultan Rahi became Supustar with more than 70 thousands ruppes per film charges and SAWAN became going down as villain and supporting rols. During 11 years (1986 to 1996 ) the quantity of his released films is 304, that is tremendous record. During three years (1989 to 1991) the quantity of his released films is 101. During the following years the quantity of his released films is more than 20 per year. 1976: 26 Films, 1979: 32 Films, 1981: 31 Films, 1983: 21 Films, 1984: 28 Films, 1986: 32 Films, 1 987: 21 Films, 1988: 23 Films, 1989: 35 Films, 1990: 34 Films, 1991: 32 Films, 1992: 31 Films, 1993: 26 Films, 1994: 25 Films, 1995: 21 Films,1996: 24 Films.
Sultan Rahi's heroine's Total heroines: 60 Plus Sultan Rahi appeared with Anjuman in 129 films, Aasia 79 films, Saima 65 films, Mumtaz 57 films, Gori 33 films and Najma 30 films. At the same time Sultan Rahi was popular hero of two real sisters Anjuman and Gori. He also performed as hero with two other real sisters Sangeeta and Kaveeta.
Sultan Rahi with other actor's
Sultan Rahi appeared in numbers of films with Bahar 300 Plus, Ilyas Kashmiri 280, Humayun Qureshi 255, Mustafa Qureshi 222, Afzal Ahmed 158, Rangila, 136, Iqbal Hassan 128, Ghulam Mohayydin 88 and Yousaf Khan 63 Sultan Rahi's director's Total directors: 228 with Masood Butt: 36 with 26 titles with Younas Malik: 31 with 25 titles with Iqbal Kashmiri: 33 with Hasan Askari: 26 with Altaf Hussain: 26 129 directors cast Sultan Rahi in Title Rolls. 115 directors cast Sultan Rahi in their very first films. 60 directors cast Sultan Rahi as title rolls in their very first films. No any film of Sultan Rahi was failed with director Younas Malik out of 18 consecutive successful films.
Sultan Rahi's writer's Total writers: 235 with Nasir Adeeb 200 Plus (titles 153), with Mustafa Kemal Pasha 66 Plus (titles 51) and with Bashir Niaz 50 Plus
Sultan Rahi's Musicians with musician Wajahat Atrey: 200 Plus and with musician M. Ashraf: 100 Plus
Sultan Rahi's Singer's Sultan Rahi was a complete action hero, but almost two dozen songs were picturized on him. 90% songs were sung by Masood Rana, who was a dominating male singer in Punjabi film history. Other singers sung for him were Mehdi Hassan, Akhlaq Ahmad, Rajab Ali, Shoukat Ali, A. Nayyar, Inayat Hussain Bhatti and of course him self - he sung a song in film Sadhu aur Sheitan and song was "Behna, Bhayya ki pyari Behna, yehi dua hai Susral mein ja ke sada khushi tum rehna..." (music Kemal Ahmad).
